Agricultural implement



. 7, 1943. A. P. McKAY AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT Original Filed May 26, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. l

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ATTORNEY# 7, 1943 A. P. McKAY AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT Original Filed May 26. 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 7, 1943 2,336,410 AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT Augusta Postelle McKay,

or to Rome Plow Comp corporation Cedartown, Ga.. assignany, Cedar-town, Ga., a

Original application May 26, 1041, Serial No.

395,258. Divided and this 1942, Serial No. 437,875

l Claims.

This invention` relates to improvements in means for connecting and operating agricultural implements in connection with tractors.

The present application is a division out of application Serial Number 395,258, iiled May 26, 1941.

The present invention relates to an improved agricultural implement, such as a harrow. which is particularly well adapted for connection to a light tractor, so that normally the implement will operate flexibly and freely upon the ground or material for which it is intended. The lifting mechanism of the improved implement is associated with the tractor so as to enable the implement to be entirely suspended upon the tractor, such as when it is desired to transport the implement or make a short turn with the tractor.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course o! the following detailed description.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts thruout the several views,

Figure l is a side elevation of an implement. such as a suspension type of disc harrow operatively connected with a light duty type tractor.

Figure `2 is a plan view of the details of the implement and tractor of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, but with the power take-off and lift mechanism of the tractor operatively supporting the implement above a ground surface.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view showing the association of the draw bar of the agricultural implement with a cross nism.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the improved implement, the letter A1 may designate the light duty type of tractor, or any other type if desired. It has associated therewith a power take-off mechanism E. The agricultural implement F may be of the double cutting disc narrow type. It has associated therewith an improved draw bar or draft connecting means G. Lifting mechanism H is associated with the power take-oil of the tractor llil for lifting the implement F into a suspended position such as shown in Figure 3. Improved means K is provided between the two sections of the harrow or implement F for operatively connecting the same ior suspension purposes.

The power take-oi! E is provided with a shaft |50 having lift arms |5| of well known construction.

bar of the draft mechaapplication April 5,

The implement F includes front and rear sections |52 and |53. The front section |52 is provdied with disc supporting gangs |54 and |55 mounted upon a suitable frame |56. This front section also includes a central longitudinally extending draw bar |51 which at its fore portion is divided into upper and lower plates, as shown in Figure l. The draw bar |51 is relatively broad for a purpose to be subsequently described.

The rear section |53 includes a frame or beam having disc supporting gangs IBI and |62. The rear section also has a longitudinally extending draw bar |03; the forward endbr which is connected by means of angle braces with the frame or beam |50. These angle braces extend rearwardly in divergent relation.

Referring to the improved draft connection G, I provide draw bars |00 and ||i| pivotally connected at points |02 at their forward ends -to the axle housing of the tractor. They extend rearwardly, slightly divergent with respect to each other, and at their\rear ends are provided with a cross bar |03. This cross bar |83 between the points of connections of the draw bars |03 and ||l| is provided with rigidly attached angle pieces |05 and |00, in pairs, which extend convergently forward. At their front ends they rigidly support a pull plate |00. 'Ihis pull plate |90 receives a vertically disposed coupling pin i0| to which the front end of the draw bar |51 of the implement F is pivotally attached. As before mentioned, the front end of the coupling |51 is constructed of upper and lower plate sections. The cross bar |03 is disposed between these sections in a transverse sliding but otherwise snug non-tilting relation.

The lever arms |5| of the power take-off E are provided with longitudinally adjustable lift bars 205 and 200: the same having a universal pivot connection with the levers |5| and at their lower.l ends being pivotally connected as at 2|!! with'the draw bars |80 and |81, intermediate the ends of the latter. It will be understood that raising of the levers l5| pulls the draw bars and ||l| upwardly and lifts the implement F in a manner to be subsequently detailed.

The front section |52 of the implement is. provided with an upstanding member or standard 2|5, at the front end thereof, 'immediately above the cross bar |83, to which is pivotally connected a brace bar or member 220, at 22|. The bar 220 is connected at 221 with the rear end of the tractor frame. These connections 22| and 223 are above the draw bars |00 and |0| so that the front section of the harrow or implement F will be lifted in a horizontal piane when the lift mechanism is operated.

Referring to the connections of the iront and rear sections of the implement F, a coupling 250 is provided which has a vertical pivot axis connection at 25| with the rear end of the draw bar of the i'ront section |52 and a horizontal axis connection at 252 with the front end of the draw bar oi' the rear section.

The means K includes a cross piece 260 upon the frame of the iront section |52 at a location higher than any point oi' the rear section frame work, and at each side of the longitudinal central axis of the implement springs 210 and 21| are connected with this cross piece 260. By means oi' adjustable bolts 212, these springs 210 and 21| are connected with the angle braces |62 at each side of the longitudinal axis of the implement. The springs 210 and 21| diverge rearwardly for the purpose oi' insuring proper alignment oi' the rear section as it is lifted into suspended position. I prefer also to provide a normally slack chain 28B, located along the longitudinal center of the implement, connected at one end to the bar 265 and at the other end to a point 28| upon the frame work of the rear section. This chain is very slack during operation of the implement and even when the implement is in suspended position. It only operates to prevent excessive vibration of the rear section and prevent rupture of the springs 210 and 21| should the strain upon the springs be too great because of passing of the tractor over irregular ground surfaces, etc.

The operation of the implement as it is drawn by the tractor Will be apparent from the i'oregoing. The two sections of the implement F' are entirely flexible and may move bodily upwardly or downwardly with respect to each other and tilt angularly with respect to each other, due to the` universal type of coupling connection between them. The entire implement and especially the front section may pivotally move upwardly, downwardly and sideways with respect to the tractor.

As the lifting arms |5| pull the draw bars |80 and lili upwardly, it can readily be understood that this will lift the cross bar |83, and due to the brace bar 220 above described. the front section will be lifted in substantially a horizontal position. It will not tilt sldewise due to the close tting connection of the upper and lower portions of the draw bar |51 upon the cross bar |83. In this connection, note that the draw bar |51 is very wide and will prevent this tilting of the front section,

Flexible brace chains 255'- and 26| may be connected to the rear end of the tractor frame and to the intermediate portions of the draw bars |80 and IBI, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

From the foregoing description of the invention it will be noted that an emcient type of draft connection has been provided for an agricultural or other implement to be drawn by the tractor which will enable the implement to operate with all of its ilexibility and emciency under normal circumstances. In addition, I have provided a. lift mechanism which will enable the implement to be lifted or suspended clear of the ground, and to hold it in properly positioned and aligned relation. I am well aware that it has heretofore been proposed to lift .implements at the rear of tractors by means of a variety of mechanisms, but none of them,

so far as I am aware,

will permit oi' the eiilcient and ilexible operation ot the implement, particvergent relation. rear ends of said a cross bar connected at the draw bars, and lift means contractor and extending rearwardly divergently therefrom.

a cross bar connected at draw bars, means connected with the power take-off and intermediate elevation of the draw bars first mentioned the implement will be lifted with the cross bar into a suspended position.

4. In an agricultural implement the combination of a front working section, a rear working section, means positively connecting said sections for iiexible relative earth working movement so "that they may tilt from a horizontal plane angularly to each other and so that the rear section may swing laterally with respect to the front section, and springs connecting the front section with the rear section at each side of the longiand which in relation to each other extend divergently rearwardly to their points of connection with the rear section, the same being of such nature that an elevation of the front implement will elevate and swing the rear implement section into alignment with the iront section.

5. In an agricultural implement the combination oi' a front working section. a rear working section, means positively connecting said sections for exible relative earth working movement so plement of! a ground surface from said tractor, that they may tilt from a horizontal plane anguand means connecting the front implement with larly with respect to the front section, a spring the second implement so that the second impleconnecting the front section with the rear section ment will also be lifted at a predetermined elevaat each side of the longitudinal axes of the imple- 5 tion of the iront implement.

ments and which springs in relation to each other 'L In combination with a tractor, a power takeextend divergentiv rearwardly to their points of ofi upon the tractor, a draw bar mechanism conconnection with the rear section, the same being nected with the tractor and extending rearwardly of such nature that an elevation of the front imtherefrom, means connecting the power take-oil plement will elevate and swing the rear implel0 with the draw bar mechanism for lifting and ment section into alignment with the front seclowering the rear end of the draw bar mechanism,

tion, and means to limit the degree of extension an earth working implement, means connecting of said springs as the rear implement is lifted by the earth working implement with the draw bar the front implement when the latter is elevated. mechanism so that the earth working implement B. In combination with a tractor. a front agri- 15 may have a longitudinal sliding action with recultural implement having a draw bar connection spect to its connection with the draw bar mechwith the tractor, a second and rear agricultural anlsm, and brace means directly connecting the implement flexibly connected upon positive pivot implement with the tractor so that upon lifting axes with the front implement so that the second of the implement thru the draw bar mechanism, implement can move with avertical tilting action 20 the said implement will be lifted vertically and relative to the front implement and with a horimaintained in substantially a horizontal position. zontal lateral movement relative to the rst implement, means for directly lifting the rst im- AUGUSTA POSTELLE MCKAY. 

